Jamie Carragher’s prediction of a latest role for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at Liverpool has been proven improper by the signing of Calvin Ramsay. The England international is facing an uncertain future on Merseyside, having struggled to nail down a consistent spot in Jurgen Klopp’s starting eleven in recent seasons.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s Anfield profession up to now has been stricken by injuries since his £35million arrival from Arsenal in the summertime of 2017. The midfielder has made 132 appearances in five seasons since, and has now entered the ultimate 12 months of his contract on the club.
Aston Villa and West Ham are each said to be mulling over a summer move for the 28-year-old, and Liverpool’s stance over a prospective sale stays unclear. The most recent reports indicate a fee of around £12m may very well be enough to strike a deal, nevertheless it has also been suggested that Klopp would reasonably keep Oxlade-Chamberlain for yet one more season before allowing him to depart as a free agent.
The Liverpool boss has seemingly settled on a favoured midfield trio of captain Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara in front of Fabinho. Oxlade-Chamberlain made only one Premier League appearance following the January transfer window, and speculation over a move for Jude Bellingham next summer indicates the Reds are likely plotting a midfield rebuild without the £35m man.
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The Sky Sports pundit posted: “Could the Ox not play there? Got the pace and engine, he’ll be high quality on the ball and used to being in crossing areas after spending so long there as a winger.”
Given Oxlade-Chamberlain’s experience at each wing-back and as a winger, it was a theory that made sense. Nonetheless, all the England international’s 28 appearances last season got here in central midfield or in a large attacking role.
Additionally it is an avenue for first-team minutes that has seemingly now been closed off for Oxlade-Chamberlain following the arrival of Ramsay. The promising Aberdeen full-back has been signed to supply competition for Alexander-Arnold for a first-team spot.
The departures of Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi could hand Oxlade-Chamberlain more opportunities to impress in the brand new season, albeit nearly all of these will still likely be from the bench. Nonetheless, whether it’s in midfield, in attack or at full-back as Carragher once suggested, it appears time is fast running out on the 28-year-old’s Liverpool profession.
